Iloilo City has earned a place in the Hall of Fame of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit Awards, following another win in the national recognition program. The city received the 2026 award under the Highly Urbanized City Category, adding to its victories in 2023 and 2025.
The Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for local government units that win the award three times within a five-year period. City Mayor Raisa Treñas credited the achievement to the combined efforts of local officials, business groups, investors, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), business organizations, and private sector partners.
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City Pushes Support Beyond Large Businesses
Treñas said the latest recognition should encourage the city government to continue improving public services and its relationship with the private sector, rather than treat the award as a final achievement.
“This Hall of Fame recognition is not the end of our work. It gives us more reason to improve our services, strengthen our partnership with the private sector,” Treñas said.
She also emphasized that local business support should reach smaller enterprises, including sari-sari stores, carinderias and small food businesses, instead of concentrating only on major investors and companies.
Among the city government’s initiatives are the proposed Nano Enterprise Incentives Ordinance, the institutionalization of the Negosyo Development Academy, the Nano Food Truck Ordinance, and startup development programs. Treñas said the goal is to help small businesses expand, create jobs and improve the livelihoods of more families.
“I want to see our small businesses become bigger businesses,” she said.
Private Sector Partnership Seen as Key to Growth
PCCI Western Visayas Regional Governor Engr. Fulbert Woo said the award reflects Iloilo City’s continued efforts toward good governance, a supportive business environment and inclusive economic development. He emphasized that local governments can contribute to economic growth not only by regulating businesses but also by working with chambers of commerce through responsive governance and policies that support enterprise.
Woo added that cooperation among government, industry and other sectors can help strengthen MSMEs, draw investments, generate jobs and widen economic opportunities. He said the Hall of Fame recognition should encourage closer government-industry-academe collaboration, stronger MSME support and sustainable economic growth throughout Western Visayas.
“When government and business grow together, opportunities multiply, communities prosper, and progress becomes sustainable,” Woo said.
Iloilo City is the fifth local government unit to receive a Hall of Fame award. The other awardees are Bataan Province under the Province Level, Quezon City under City Level 1A for highly urbanized cities in the National Capital Region, Tanay, Rizal under Municipality Level 1, and Tagbilaran City under City Level 3.
The recognition puts Iloilo City’s business policies and public-private partnerships in the spotlight, but the lasting test will be whether these efforts help more local entrepreneurs stay afloat, grow their operations and hire workers. A business-friendly environment matters most when opportunities reach beyond established companies and translate into more secure livelihoods for communities across the city.
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